Host metabolic and inflammatory pathways

Host metabolic and inflammatory pathways represent the integrated network of biochemical reactions and signaling cascades that govern cellular energy balance and immune defense mechanisms. This interface, often termed immunometabolism, involves the reciprocal regulation where metabolic intermediates act as signaling molecules for immune cells, and inflammatory cytokines modulate systemic nutrient processing (Hotamisligil, 2017, Nature). Chronic activation of these pathways, often triggered by nutrient excess, leads to "meta-inflammation," a low-grade inflammatory state that underlies the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis (Hotamisligil, 2006, Nature). Therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways do not focus on a single molecule but rather on specific nodes within the network, such as NLRP3 inflammasomes or AMPK, to resolve inflammation and improve metabolic health (O'Neill et al., 2016, Nature Reviews Immunology). Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing multi-target or systemic therapies that address the root causes of chronic inflammatory and metabolic disorders.

Other names

ImmunometabolismMetabolic-inflammatory axisMeta-inflammationHost metabolic-immune interface

Modulation of metabolic flux, inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, activation of energy-sensing kinases, and regulation of nuclear receptor activity.